Everything seemed to be going the Phillies’ way. Up by 6 1/2 games with just 12 left to play in the 1964 season, they appeared to have clinched their first pennant in more than a decade. Outfielder Johnny Callison narrowly missed being the National League MVP. Third baseman Richie Allen was Rookie of the Year.

But the “Fightin’ Phils” didn’t make it to the postseason—they lost 10 straight and finished a game behind the St. Louis Cardinals.

But the “Fightin’ Phils” didn’t make it to the postseason—they lost 10 straight and finished a game behind the St. Louis Cardinals.

For a few weeks I was worried the '05 Sox were gonna pull one of those for a few weeks. Thank god they heated back up.

WhiteSoxJunkie

07-13-2007, 10:22 PM

It's a little unfair that this is getting so much attention. I mean the team has been around since 1883. Of course, they are going to lose alot of games. Look at Cy Young. Everyone knows he has the career record for wins. But he also has the career record for losses. It's because he pitched all the time. Yet the most presitigious pitching award is named after him.

downstairs

07-14-2007, 12:11 PM

It's a little unfair that this is getting so much attention. I mean the team has been around since 1883. Of course, they are going to lose alot of games. Look at Cy Young. Everyone knows he has the career record for wins. But he also has the career record for losses. It's because he pitched all the time. Yet the most presitigious pitching award is named after him.

Sort-of, but they have such an amazing history of losing. I mean decades and decades and decades of it. The 80s-90s were their *golden* years, you have to remember.

SI had a great column on the Phillies history- worth a read.

The 10,000 is a cumulative stat, sure... but its just fitting that they'd get there first.

DumpJerry

07-14-2007, 01:16 PM

Some days it feels like the White Sox have lost 10K since last year's All Star Break.:(:

CLR01

07-14-2007, 04:12 PM

It's a little unfair that this is getting so much attention. I mean the team has been around since 1883. Of course, they are going to lose alot of games. Look at Cy Young. Everyone knows he has the career record for wins. But he also has the career record for losses. It's because he pitched all the time. Yet the most presitigious pitching award is named after him.

But the Phillies don't lead the wins category, too. In fact, they are dead last among teams formed at the same time or before and the teams that formed 20 years later are already catching them and passing them.

And if it is simply longevity then why haven't the Braves, Cubs, Pirates, Reds, Cards, Giants or Dodgers all hit 10,000 losses or at least be set to pass it like the Phillies? They all have several seasons to go before they start sniffing it.

The Phillies reaching the 10,000 loss mark has as much to do with longevity as it does their general ability to suck year in and year out. See the early 1900's, mid 1900's, late 1900's. 72 of their 125 seasons have featured a record under .500. Poor Phillies, sniff.

Fenway

07-14-2007, 04:18 PM

Of the original 16 teams the Phillies are by far the worse. Only one World Series win.

Yet it was the A's that left only because in the early 50's the Phillies were a decent club and even won the pennant in 1950.( the only team that wasn't from New York City to do so in 10 years )

Phillies fans are loyal, love the team ( most of the time ) and boo a lot. I enjoy games there.

But the Phillies don't lead the wins category, too. In fact, they are dead last among teams formed at the same time or before and the teams that formed 20 years later are already catching them and passing them.

And if it is simply longevity then why haven't the Braves, Cubs, Pirates, Reds, Cards, Giants or Dodgers all hit 10,000 losses or at least be set to pass it like the Phillies? They all have several seasons to go before they start sniffing it.

The Phillies reaching the 10,000 loss mark has as much to do with longevity as it does their general ability to suck year in and year out. See the early 1900's, mid 1900's, late 1900's. 72 of their 125 seasons have feature a record under .500.

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070716/capt.b7a2ef544cf444fe8648dee78dbaf959.cardinals_ph illies_baseball_pagw105.jpg
Grounds crew clean up after the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Phillies 10-2 in a baseball game in Philadelphia on Sunday, July 15, 2007. The Phillies lost their 10,000th game in franchise history.
(AP Photo/George Widman) Email to a Friend (http://m2f.news.yahoo.com/mailto?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsports.yahoo.com%2***b%2Fp hoto%3Fslug%3Db7a2ef544cf444fe8648dee78dbaf959.car dinals_phillies_baseball_pagw105%26amp%3Bprov%3Dap&title=AP+Photo%3A+MLB&prop=sports&locale=us&rf=f) | View Popular (http://sports.yahoo.com/top/mostpopular)

Last updated at Jul 15, 2007 9:49 pm EDT

WhiteSoxJunkie

07-17-2007, 01:39 AM

I saw on SportsCenter that the Blackhawks have more losses than any other NHL team. The Cardinals have the most among NFL teams, and I think it was the Warriors with the most in the NBA.